A discussion about the airline industry, airline employees, and all things related

It may not be full out unrest at the airline yet, but United Airlines is facing some growing tensions between their unions and the company.  At the airline’s first stock holders meeting in five years, pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics stood outside the building holding signs that read, “Fix It Now” and “We Are United, They Are Pigs”. 

The employees are growing angry that they took billions in pay cuts and management took tens of millions of dollars in bonuses. 

As CEO Glenn Tilton walked pass a group of United Airline’s pilots, the pilots dropped their hats in a moment of defiance. 

"Certainly, a confrontation is brewing," said Roger King, airline analyst with CreditSights.

The union has said they will honor all federal laws that prevent them from doing any striking during years in which their contracts are not up for negotiation, which will not happen at United until 2010. 

American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways are all facing union issues.  "It's an industry-wide problem.  The fact of the matter is that management is going to lose their ability to motivate their employees. You're going to see job actions,” said airline analyst Julius Maldutis.

It could be a bumpy few years.  Airlines are starting to make a bit of money, employees are looking for some of what they gave up when airlines took so much from them. 

Chicago Tribune